Chapter 3: Red-Handed

Mary Margaret and Emma were looking at the sleeping Isabella inside Emma's room.

"So he didn't tell you what their relationship is?" Mary Margaret asked Emma.

"No," Emma said, drinking some coffee, "But apparently, she means a lot to him. I mean, he said please, after all! And you know that's a big thing, considering it's Mr. Gold..."

"Yeah," Mary said, "And he says Regina has something to do with this?"

"Uh-huh,"

"Well...If she has, then isn't that a...crime?"

"I know," Emma said, "But if I do that, she'll know that we have her. And that would be bigger trouble. You know how much power she's got over everyone here, she can turn things around."

"Yeah..." Mary muttered, "Like she's a witch or something!"

Emma laughed, "Henry's ideas getting to you?"

Mary just smiled.

"Who is that?" Someone said. Emma and Mary turned back and saw Ruby.

"Ruby," Emma said, "What are you doing here? How'd you get in?"

"That's what I came here for," Ruby said, getting something out of her pocket, "Here," She gave it to the Mary. It was a key, "I still have your spare key, i just thought I'd return it."

"Oh, you didn't have to," Mary said, smiling.

"Nah, it;s just proper," Ruby said then turned her attention back to the bed, "Who's—" She stopped, "Wait. It can't be..."

"What do you mean?" Emma said, "Do you know her?"

Ruby went inside the room and gasped. She turned back to Emma and Mary. "Isabella," she muttered, "How did she get in here?"

"Ruby, what do you know?" Emma asked.

"I...I can't tell you," She said nervously.

"Ruby," Emma said, "This is serious. What do you know?"

"Who brought her here?"

"We're not telling you until you tell us what you know first."

"I'll be in trouble,"

"You won't be," Mary said, "Tell us."

Ruby took a deep breath, "Regina Mills," She said, "She...she told me that Isabella was getting deranged. Everything's hazy but what I remember is...Isabella and I were friends, but one day, her father got so mad at her for...for falling for this...for this vile man, they say...And then Regina asked me to look for her, I found her in the woods, and...and we brought her to the hospital."

"Regina told you she was deranged?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, I didn't wanna believe her, but when I saw Isabella at the woods...I don't know...She looked as if she needed help. She's been in the hospital ever since. The mayor always tells me that she's being taken cared of, that she needs to stay in the hospital more...That her family doesn't care anymore..."

"Oh my God," Mary said.

"Emma, please," Ruby said, "Don't tell anyone."

"Ruby," Emma said.

"I should go," Ruby said and run away.

Just then Emma's phone rang. It was Regina.

"Madam Mayor," Emma said.

"Sheriff Swan, I have something to report. One mental patient is missing. Her name's Isabella French. Have you heard anything?"

Emma looked at Isabella, "No," She said.

"No?"

"No," Emma said.

"Well, work on it. I need to find her. And don't tell anyone about her. It's a special case."

"I bet."

"What?"

"Nothing," Emma said, "Don't worry, I'll handle this."

xx

a/n: yes, title's inspired by this week's episode! :) I really liked it and I just felt like I had to put Ruby in this story.